1 kW PAFC stack: a case history

The activity on PAFC technology at the CNR Institute for Transformation and Storage of Energy started in 1983. In recent years, the research has been carried out within the framework of national programmes (ENEA-Progetto Volta). The aim was to design, build and test a 1 kW power unit, integrated with a methanol reforming unit of the same size. Development of this prototype has progressed successfully: the development of proprietary component materials (catalyst, electrodes and matrix) and engineering systems has been achieved. Scale-up of cells from laboratory size (a single cell of 72 cm2) to a 100 W stack (six cells of 200 cm2) and to 1 kW, (25 cells of 400 cm2, air cooled) has been successful. The present analysis is used to emphasize the different steps which have carried us to this goal.